“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”
These words were spoken by the brave and steadfast Katsumoto in The Last Samurai while contemplating the blooming of a cherry tree. A surprised Tom Cruise couldn't yet grasp the depth of the Samurai's statements struggling to reconcile the idea of a fearsome warrior spending part of his life in search of a perfect blossom.
What does all this have to do with the two Grand Seiko Heritage models I had in hand?
An ideal world would be composed of balances, every action would have its equal as an opposite reaction and that was the spirit I felt in these two models, balance and contemplation.
The Heritage designation might initially evoke some formality but Grand Seiko's choice to present all models in this collection "dressed" in high-intensity titanium as if it were an ultra-armour for these models, was an excellent design choice and having a fairly wide bracelet it surrounds the wrist perfectly.
The case surfaces are polished using famous Zaratsu finishings so dear to the brand and meticulously executed balancing between polished and thinly brushed areas.
The cases, with their characteristic multifaceted construction originated from the first 62GS, lack a bezel, drawing all attention to the open and clear dials with an excellent coating on the inside of the sapphire crystals, allowing the beauty of their finishes to be appreciated.
GRAND SEIKO HERITAGE HI-BEAT 36000 SBGH343 - CALIBRE 9S85 - TITANIUM - Ø 38MM - 7.900€
If the dials are delicate and poetic, both in their inspiration and execution, beneath them lie two versions of the best “machines” currently produced by Grand Seiko: the Caliber 9R65 for the Spring Drive versions and the Caliber 9S85 for the Hi-Beat 36000 versions. Once again, there is a balance between the visual poetry of the dials and the pragmatism of the pursuit of the best possible mechanical performance — here, again, modernity balances tradition.
For my part, I found them magnificent as I appreciate all metal watches, not being a fan of crocodile leather straps and the like, which make me feel like I have a rigid wooden board on my wrist for a few months.
Not being a purist of the purely mechanical I appreciate the ingenuity of the Spring Drive system but, as an admirer of mechanical watchmaking, a stable and tested Hi-Beat movement is fascinating.
GRAND SEIKO HERITAGE SPRING DRIVE "SHUNBUN" SBGA413 - CALIBRE 9R65 - TITANIUM - Ø 40MM - 7.000€
I appreciate high-quality crystals with a coating that enhances the visual enjoyment of the dials, as this is something particularly dear to me as a photographer.
In summary, I liked these two watches very much. They align with my selfish preferences, combining solidity and delicate treatment, beauty and mechanical performance.
Well done!
